A’s top Mariners, cut Astros’ lead in AL West to 1½ games

By Steve Kroner Published 10:18 pm PDT, Friday, August 31, 2018 Maybe Bob Melvin ought to cancel batting practice more often. The A’s manager gave his players a day off from BP and they responded with 13 hits in a 7-5 victory over Seattle at the Coliseum on Friday night. Oakland extended its lead over the Mariners for the AL’s second wild-card spot to 5½ games. The A’s cut the Astros’ lead in the AL West to 1½ games. The Angels made it two straight wins at Houston with a 3-0 decision. The Yankees still lead Oakland by 4½ games for the top wild-card spot. New York got by Detroit 7-5. The Yankees open a three-game series at the Coliseum on Monday afternoon. The A’s haven’t had a day off since Aug. 16, so the players certainly didn’t mind being able to get to the ballpark Friday a little later than normal because they weren’t taking BP on the field. “At this time of year,” Melvin said, “everybody typically can be agreeable with that.” Seattle scored five times in the first inning of its 7-1 win Thursday night. The A’s put up a five-spot in the first Friday evening. Oakland Athletics’ Matt Chapman, right, is congratulated by third base coach Matt Williams (4) after hitting a home run off Seattle Mariners’ Mike Leake during the first inning of a baseball game Friday, Aug. 31, 2018, in Oakland, Calif. (AP Photo/Ben Margot) less Oakland Athletics’ Matt Chapman, right, is congratulated by third… [Read full story]